What is hemiplegia and paraplegia?

What is hemiplegia and paraplegia?

1. Hemiplegia:

This refers to paralysis of one side of the body. Hemiplegia has two stages of attack. The first stage is the onset in which there are symptoms like shock effect, patient may become unconscious and the angle of mouth will be twisted to one side which is affected. The second stage is the stage of recovery. In this stage there is change of gait where the paralysed side is dragged around in semicircle. The tongue is protruded to the af­fected side.

2. Paraplegia:

This condition is characterised by weakness of both lower limbs. There may be partial or complete paralysis of the legs. Paraplegia is caused by spinal cord injuries, vascular syphilis, cervical spondylosis, tumors of the brain etc.